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More than 400 Madison-area Latino students poured into the Madison College Truax campus May 17 for the 8th annual Latino Youth Career and College Fair titled “Build Your Future.”
The event is hosted each year by the Latino ...

MADISON —To help holiday travelers reach their destination safely and efficiently, construction work on most major highway projects will be suspended during the three-day Memorial Day weekend, according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). Most highway construction in work zones will cease by noon on Friday, Ma...

The 2013 Mann Scholars Ceremony will be held at the at the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery Town Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus Friday, June 7, 5:30-7 p.m..
 The Mann Scholars Program's goal is to provide mentoring and educational tools to students from the Madison Metropolitan School District who show...

Just chatting with skilled crew chief Al Terry, you can really feel the heart come through in the Hammer with a Heart program that he is so passionate about. For 10 years, Terry's team has been working to improve people's homes and their lives. And, in the p...

  
 
“If you really want to address issues, it's not enough just to provided the direct services. You have to be working on solving and addressing the root causes of the problems,” says Madison-area Urban Ministry Executive...

Record numbers of employees are planning to retire while our city and state continues to get more and more diverse.  Is Madison ready for the next generation? Are our companies, agencies, and organizations moving towards a more incl...

David Hart has long observed that that when fathers get together at parties and barbecues and other functions, they are very likely to talk to each other about sports, music, or current events. Meanwhile, the mothers at the very same events w...

    
     Dr. Richard Harris, author of the book “Growing Up Black In South Madison” has requested that Madison Mayor Paul Soglin conduct an investigation into the possibility that blacks living in the Triangle area were cheated by the Madison Redevelopment Authority (MRA)...

Kent Craig has informed the Centro Hispano Board of Directors that he will be leaving his position as executive director of Centro Hispano of Dane County to pursue higher education.  His last day will be June 28.
“I am extremely grateful to the board, staff, and community for the opportunity to work at this am...

MADISON — On June 15, the 1st annual Soul Stroll Madison will be held in conjunction with the Juneteenth Festival at Madison’s Penn Park.
The Soul Stroll features a 1-Mile and 3-Mile Walk, which is a perfect way to get the required 30 minutes of daily physical activity. Participants can warm up with the Zumba instruc...

El Día de los Niños (The Day of the Children) has its roots in Latin America, although it is also celebrated in Asian and European countries. It is a worldwide celebrati...

MADISON —The 8th annual Multicultural Senior Health Fair will be held at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center on May 10. Local seniors could enjoy community agencies providing informational booths, free health screenings, and educational presentations. 
The North/Eastside Senior Coalition is a network of indiv...

MADISON — Statewide assessments taken by students in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP) and the Parental Private School Choice Program (PPSCP) in Racine showed mixed results in mathematics and reading compared to last year, and results were lower than their local public school districts. For both choice and public schoo...

MADISON — If you have diabetes or high blood pressure – this screening is for you!  The South Madison Promise Zone and the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin is urging Madison - area residents to give their kidneys a well-deserved checkup. 
On Saturday, April 27, the National Kidney Foundation of Wisc...

Community members gathered to honor 12 outstanding youths at the Women in Focus Inc. "I Have ...

Madison East High School has been designated as a national demonstration site for AVID/TOPS, a college preparatory program that has shown success raising achievement for low-income and minority students.
“Our school has been recognized for r...

MADISON —The Immigrant Workers Union (IWU), labor and community organizations and their allies will join the national call for immigration reform and workers’ rights on Wednesday, May 1st. In Wisconsin there will be at least ...

“You’re being weak! Why don’t you pull yourself together? Snap out of it! Why don’t you pull yourself up from your bootstraps?”
Sometimes that’s the reaction people face when they admit that they are suffering from depression. Depression is a highly common medical condition affecting nearly on...

MADISON — The United Way Community Volunteer Awards is a volunteer recognition reception honoring all the great volunteers throughout Dane County and the incredible impact they make in our community. At this event you’ll hear heartwarming stories about volunteers who are helping to make our community a better place. Through...

MADISON — It will be a fun afternoon of celebrating accomplishments and anticipating future success as Women in Focus (WIF) Inc. will distribute scholarships to outstanding area students at Edgewood College April 14.
  Every spring, WIF awards scholarships to minority students in the greater Madison community who have...

MADISON —  Should obese people have to pay for two seats on an airplane? What should government do about America’s expanding waistline and its love for extra-large sodas? Is obesity just a marketing scare tactic or is it really an epidemic? These are the issues that experts will discuss at the University of Wisconsin S...

Through politics, discussions, networking, art, music, and workshops, the 17th annual La Mujer Latina Conference April 13 at the Pyle Center will once again be an important community resource. The theme this year is “Creating a Healthy Latina Environm...

Turn to any page of history on the fight for American civil and human rights and you'll see the name Diane Nash appear prominently and often. 
Beginning at age 22, Nash co-founded the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee, and was a...

The Youth Job Center job skills program is celebrating 20 years in Madison. The important local agency has trained over 2,000 high school-aged youth in the art of finding, securing, and keeping local paid employment and giving youngst...

Six Wisconsin umbrella religious groups gathered hundreds of people in Madison March 14 to support funding for Treatment Alternatives and Diversions (TAD) instead of jail or prison for nonviolent offenders. Their campaign, called 11 X 15, pr...

Guest speakers at the UW’s “Why Race & Place?” forum March 15 included (l-r) Dr. Lisa Brock,     Dr. Townsand Price-Spratlen, Dr. Becky Martinez, Kaleem Caire, Colleen Butler, and Everett Mitchell.

 MADISON — On March 4, the Madison Metropolitan Chapter of The Links Inc. sponsored its 3rd annual "Yes I Can!" conference for 8th grade girls at American Family Insurance’s Madison Corporate Campus.  These 55 "...

As a very active community member, a longtime coach for the Southside Raiders, and a positive mentor and role model for young people for decades and decades, Wayne Strong has spent countless hours molding young kids and being a vital res...

My, how things have changed.
When Centro Hispano of Dane County first opened its doors on March 18, 1983, it served about 3,000 Latinos in Dane County. Today, 30 years later, the number of Latinos in Dane County is somewhere between 30,000-40,00...

MADISON — The YWCA Madison is pleased to announce the 2013 Women of Distinction award honorees: Betty Banks, Andreal Davis, Tehmina Islam, Salli Martyniak, Becky Steinhoff, and Mona Adams Winston.
Empowering women is a key component of the YWCA Madison’s mission. The 2013 awards will be presented at a luncheon durin...

MADISON — Madison Mayor Paul Soglin has announced the appointment of Katherine Cornwell as the City of Madison’s Planning Division Director. Ms. Cornwell currently has aprivate strategic planning consulting practice that provides development programming, proforma and market analysis, sustainable development planning, zoning...

Independent assessment shows progress for low-income students and students of color


MADISON — Students in the Madison Metropolitan School District’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) ...

“If Harriet Tubman can walk for freedom, then we can walk for better health,” says Marilyn Ruffin. “We can do this. We need to keep each other accountable and not become another statistic.” 
...

Eating healthy and getting in shape with "Coach Wood"



Haywood Simmons, a former Wisconsin Badger and NFL football player, has turned his passion for sports, nutrition, fitness, and personal improvement into a lifetime calling.

You don't have to stop eating chocolate cake or start running marathons to improve your health. Making small but steady changes in your eating and activity habits -- over time -- may help you lose weight if you need to, feel better, and improve ...

MADISON —Because today’s persistent and complex issues of climate change, social inequality and economic health will require a new type of leader to address and resolve them, the University of Wisconsin-Extension has created a new resource to help shape future leaders. 
The Center for Inclusive and Engaged Lead...

MADISON —  Dane County Executive Joe Parisi has signed a county resolution Feb. 25 authorizing creation of a new task force to help coordinate and oversee the important work that's underway to reduce phosphorus pollution in the Yahara Chain of Lakes.
The task force, originally introduced by Parisi during last fall's b...

The Boys & Girls Club of Dane County’s 4th Annual Hearts for Helping Wine and Cheese Tasting Event will be held Friday, Feb. 22 at Madison Concourse Hotel.
“I’m really excited about this event,” says M...

For the second consecutive year, the American Red Cross is joining with the Urban League of Greater Madison and Morgridge Center for Public Service to help raise awareness about the need for a diverse blood supply. Community members are ...

MADISON — Blood donors are everyday heroes who help save lives. During March, Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross recognizes these lifesavers, thanks them for their generosity and encourages others to join their ranks.
March was first proclaimed Red Cross Month in 1943 by former President Franklin Roosevelt. Since then...

MADISON — The 5th annual Black Men's Initiative Forum- "You Have the Right to Remain Educated - The Black Male Interaction with the American Legal System” will be hosted by the Wisconsin Association of Black Men (WABM) this weekend.

WA...

The barbershop can be a tremendous information hub. It’s a place where people can gather and have their voices heard and their opinions validated. It’s a place to pontificate and to debate and sometimes just to listen. Thanks to the ...

 

Many people dismiss the warning signs of Alzheimer's disease because they believe that the symptoms are a part of normal aging. Unfortunately, they are too often diagnosed too late and miss the opportunity to get the best care possible.  Thi...

The Commencement of the Caminos Career Pathways Nursing Assistant Class of 2012 took place Saturday, Feb. 9 at Centro Hispano of Dane County on Madison’s south side.
Family and community members gathered to see nine graduates honored at the ceremony for a program that was a partnership between Centro Hispano. Madis...

MADISON — The United Way of Dane County and the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has announced that new data show that the Schools of Hope (SOH) program is showing success in closing gaps in student achievement. The new data shows several areas of achievement in the program which include: increased academic achievement...

Kids, readers, movie fans, job seekers, video gamers and even Lego builders have found what makes them happy at their local library branch. Madison Public Library (MPL) is one of the library networks that make up the South Central Library S...

The Madison Metropolitan Board of Education announced today that it has selected Dr. Jennifer Cheatham as Superintendent of Schools, pending successful contract negotiations.

“Jennifer Cheatham is a visionary leader with an excellent track record on narrowing the achievement gap,” Board President Jame...

In honor of National African American Parent Involvement Day, "Read Your Heart Out" Day will take place on Friday, Feb. 8 at 15 schools throughout the Madison Metropolitan School District.
For the past 8 years, Michelle Belnavis, a ...

“The purpose of the New Green Challenge is to engage households of color into a conversation about sustainability,” says Annette Miller, Emerging Markets and Community Development Manager for Madison Gas & Electric. “My goal is to...

MADISON — Do you know someone who’s doing great volunteer work in Dane County? Now is the time to nominate that stellar volunteer or group of volunteers for recognition through United Way of Dane County’s 2013 Community Volunteer Awards, the largest local volunteer recognition event of its kind. Winners will be announ...

The Workers’ Rights Center turns 10 years old this week and Director Patrick Hickey is very excited about the progress they’ve made over the past decade. However, he knows there is still much work to be done.
“I think we&rs...

The African American Student Academic Services (AASAS) is an essential campus agency that provides support services to African and African American undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Karla Foster is the coordinator for A...

Hundreds of people gathered Jan. 21 to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the 33rd annual State of Wisconsin Tribute and Ceremony honoring Martin Luther King Jr. at the state Capitol building.
“Welcome to Wisconsin’s ...

The UW-Madison First Wave Hip Hop and Urban Arts Learning Community stole the show with a dynamic performance at the 28th annual Dane County and...

MADISON — Dane County is moving forward with an exciting new public/private partnership with the potential to create dozens of jobs and address one of South Madison’s food deserts in the Southdale Neighborhood in Madison, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.
Urban Assets has been selected to receive a $...

“I have a passion for this community. I have a passion for playing a role in helping Madison make real the greatness that we all hope for and imagine about and remember about the city,” says Maurice Cheeks. “I’m not just talkin...

MADISON — The Madison/Dane County King Coalition is pleased to announce that the official City of Madison & Dane County observance of the 2013 King Holiday will feature Reverend Everett Mitchell of Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church as this year’s Master of Ceremonies along with a performance by The University of Wisc...

MADISON —The board of directors for Centro Hispano of Dane County held elections on Thursday, Jan. 3, to elect officers for their executive board. Gloria Reyes was elected president of the board of directors and will succeed Brenda Gonzal...

 MADISON — Habitat for Humanity of Dane County has been awarded $65,500 to build a home in Fitchburg’s Renaissance on the Park Neighborhood, adjacent to the Allied Dunn’s Marsh Neighborhood.
The grant provides 50 percent of the cost of construction, and was given to Habitat for Humanity of Dane County by T...

MADISON — Madison Area Technical College President Bettsey Barhorst announced her plans to retire during a morning’s convocation on Jan. 7 with faculty. She said she aims to retire by July 1.
Barhost has spent 45 years in higher education, including the last eight as president of Madison College,  During her ten...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was all about service. "Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve," he said. Madison-area students are once again preparing to honor Dr. King and to take a day on, not off, as they take part in the annual MLK Youth Day of...

LaMovida Radio 1480 AM hosted a Radiothon to benefit the Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) Dec. 14 that helped raised community awareness about the many great things that the center does and the many people it helps. By the end of the day, the...

When the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce tapped Zach Brandon to be their new president less than a month ago, they knew they were getting somebody with entrepreneurial expertise, community knowledge, and depth of experience in the publi...

MADISON — Wisconsin’s youth smoking rates have hit an all-time low, showing significant decreases in the last two years, according to a state survey released this week by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
The 2012 Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) found high school smoking decreased from 17.7 percent in 2010 to 1...

 
An event aimed at examining ways to get rid of achievement gaps and create winning schools and students took place Dec. 7 in Madison.  The 2012 Educate to Elevate Education Innovation Summit was hosted by the Urban League...

Iyad Burnat:  Non-violence in action 
 

On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 16   citizens of the Madison area were fortunate to hear a presentation by Iyad Burnat, a Palestinian farmer and leader in non-violent p...

As community relations director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Everett Mitchell builds strong bonds between the university and the many members of the Madison and Dane County communities.
“The university has strategic rel...

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISER TO FEATURE SHAHANNA MCKINNEY-BALDON

 

The Madison Metropolitan Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will host its 3rd annual Community Recognition & Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, Dec. 8 at the...

ANOTHER STEP FOR MADISON'S FAVORITE SOUL FOOD SPOT

When people in Madison crave tasty soul food and good down-home cooking, they make the trip to Melly Mel’s, located in the basement of the Genesis Center on M...

"Take good care of your body. It's the only place you have to live."  —Jim Rohn

Obesity is one of the most serious health issues affecting the United States today.  People who are considere...

What was South Madison like for African Americans in the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s? Not too many people really know.  One man that does is Dr. Richard Harris, president of Genesis Social Service Corporation on Madison's south ...

FOUNTAIN OF LIFE HOSTS POWERFUL EVENT




Over 200 people turned out Nov. 18 to celebrate the founding of MOSES — Madison Organizing on Strength, Equality, and Solidarity — and to voice their support fo...

MADISON — After conducting a national search, the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce board of directors found its ideal candidate in its own backyard. Local leader Zach Brandon has been named president of the Chamber. Brandon, 39, replaces Jennifer Alexander, who is retiring after nearly nine years.

MADISON — Dane County Executive Joe Parisi has announced that he has chosen Mark Clarke, General Manager of World Dairy Expo, as his new Executive Director for Dane County’s Alliant Energy Center (AEC).
 Clarke has managed World Dairy Expo, one of the largest industry trade shows in the entire world, for the pas...

Most 16 year olds are worried about little, frivolous things in life — what to wear to school, when to study for an upcoming biology quiz, or where to shop at the mall.
Desmond Willingham, at age 16, was worried if he was going to find...

The Mentoring Positives Inc. 8th Anniversary Fundraiser was held Nov. 10 at the Town Center at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.
“I am truly honored to say a few words on the behalf of Mentoring Positives,” said keynote s...

The Mentoring Positives Inc. 8th Anniversary Fundraiser was held Nov. 10 at the Town Center at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.
“I am truly honored to say a few words on the behalf of Mentoring Positives,” said keynote s...

December 7 is a critical deadline many do not want to miss. Open enrollment for Medicare Part C and Part D is currently underway and will come to an end on that date. The deadline comes quickly, and if it passes, a door closes for people who’ve be...

 MADISON — The Madison Metropolitan Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will hold its Third Annual Community Recognition & Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, December 8, starting with a social hour at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon at 12:30 p.m. at the Madison Marriott West. Tickets can be purchased on-line at Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership celebrates 20 years on November 16
by Staff
November 14, 2012

MADISON — Nehemiah, a southside community-based urban leadership development organization which strengthens Madison's African American youth and families, is turing 20 years old.
As the African American family here in Madison struggles beneath the weightiness of unemployment, drug abuse, crime, poverty, high schoo...

MADISON — Six informational sessions for prospective students and their parents are scheduled in the coming weeks to introduce the community to a new high school. It offers an evidence-based, innovative approach to education that creates a stimulating environment for learning.
 "Active learning is what sets our s...

(Photos by Jeanne Erickson)

Thousands gathered in front of City Hall Nov. 5 as President Barack Obama returned to Madison one last time on the eve of the national presidential election.
Rock legend Bruce Springsteen, who had previously joi...

Sabrina "Heymiss Progress" Madison is on a mission to continue the expansion of Madison’s bustling spoken-word poetry scene. Her Word is Bond Poetry Slam this Sat...

 MADISON — Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, in partnership with Word is Bond Poetry Slam, the Allied Dunns-Marsh Neighborhood Association, and Mothers in the Neighborhood, will provide food and fun to more than 200 families on Thanksgiving Day.  The event will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (dinner served at 1 p.m....

MADISON — On May 11, 1973 Madison Urban Ministry was officially incorporated as a non-profit social justice agency in WI. We are planning a celebration and visioning party for May 18th, 2013 at the Madison Concourse Hotel and would like to invite you and your congregation to be part of the celebration.
You will be hearing...

MADISON — The public is invited to attend an informative discussion of mining issues both here and in El Salvador.  Longtime Wisconsin and Midwest mining activist and organizer UW-La Crosse Professor Al Gedicks will be joined by El Salvador organizers Brother Domingo Solis, Father Lorenzo Cruz, and Jan Morrill who are workin...

 

Black girls rock!
And a local foursome of women want to celebrate that to the fullest.  Four leading ladies — Keetra Burnette, Lisa Peyton-Caire, Sabrina "Heymiss Progress" Madison, and Vanika Mock &mda...

“Many people have told me that my book has given them hope. They believe in the notion that the Jewish state can be removed out of the equation, then we can have democracy for equal rights for everybody,” says Miko Peled, peace activ...

The biannual Water Bearer Awards dinner will be held Nov. 1 at the Catholic Multicultural Center and will honor six people who have made great contributions to the Madison community. The 2012 Water Bearer Fall Honorees are: Dr. Earlise Ward, Frances Huntley-Cooper, Janet Pariano, Nancy Rodriguez, Judge Paul Higginbotham, and Jo...

Serving the south side Madison community since 1946, the Catholic Multicultural Center has been an important part of Madison for decades.
The Catholic Multicultural Center (CMC) provides an empowering social ministry to meet the needs of the whole person, works to foster multicultural unity, and works to cultivate collabor...

It’s not just the students who are getting report cards during the 2012-13 school year.
On Monday, Oct. 22, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) issued a School Report Card for every public school in Wisconsin. The new scho...

MADISON — The Wisconsin Women of Color Network, Inc. will host its annual scholarship fund-raising event on Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Double Tree Hotel, 525 West Johnson Street, Madison, Wisconsin.  Once a year WWOCN appeals to its members, family and friends to raise money for the Wisconsin Women of Color Network Scholarship ...

Melissa Harris-Perry, founding director of the Project on Gender, Race, and Politics, and professor of political science at Tulane University, has done extensive academic research inspired by a desire to investigate the challenges facing contemporary ...

Harvard Law School Professor Lani Guinier at the UW Diversity Forum

What happens when one works hard and plays by the rules, yet does not succeed?
That’s the question posed by Lani Guinier, the first Jewish-African American woma...

MADISON — The Business Forum (TBF) is pleased to announce that it is accepting nominations for the 16th annual ATHENA Award® Program. The program honors both women and men for excellence in their profession or life's work, for devoting time and effort in their communities to improve the quality of life for others, and...

Over 100 graduates, current students, supporters, and staff celebrated the University of Wisconsin Odyssey Project’s 10th anniversary Oct. 4. The Chazen Museum provided the s...

“This is a community that often gets things right,” said Steve Goldberg, CUNA Mutual Foundation executive director. “The Omega School is a great example of how this community is getting things right in terms of delivering value t...

Here’s the scenario: You visit your mother at her home and discover she’s fallen, needs hospitalization and rehab. What will happen when she returns home? What does she need? Who will take care of her?
Find out at the 3rd Annual Family Caregiver Resource Fair will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, 9 a.m.-noon, at ...

“The young do not know enough to be prudent and therefore they attempt the impossible — and achieve it, generation after generation.”
                     — Pearl S Buck

MADISON  — With the start of a new month, Edgewood College announces its new Ethnic Studies major, the first discipline-specific undergraduate major in the School of Integrative Studies.
“The School of Integrative Studies is proud to house the Ethnic Studies major,” says Interim Dean Dr. Kris Mickelson. &l...

MADISON  — In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month and in remembrance of the important contributions that Latinos have bestowed upon our communities throughout the history of this nation, WLMV - La Movida 1480AM, Mid-West Fam...

A new model for employment creation

MADISON  — The Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM) is on to something big.
 The Featured Employer Job Seminar series, launched in August, has been quickly embraced by the regional business community. Hosted at ULGM, each event is focused on br...

“You guys sound like you’re fired up already,” President Barack Obama told the crowd at the Summerfest Grounds at the Henry Maier Festival Park on Sept. 22.  “It is good to be back in Milwaukee.”The enthusiastic crowd was chanting “four more years” but the president said that it will take ...

The Centro Hispano Leadership Awards have been announced and they will be presented at the 23rd annual Centro Hispano banquet titled “The Power of a Dream: Education and Opportunity” Friday, Oct. 19, at the Monona Terrace Community and...

It’s true that African Americans have the largest differences in health risks when compared to other racial or ethnic groups. But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Lisa Peyton-Caire, and when it comes to health and well-being, she ...

Greg Mickells (pronounced Michaels), the new director of the Madison Public Library, will be visiting each library branch as he embarks on his duties. Mickells moved here from Lincoln, Neb., and has been on the job about a week. On Sept. 12, Mickells visi...

MADISON — The Rainbow Project will host its eighth annual Rhumba 4 Rainbow Benefit on Friday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m.-midnight at the Varsity Hall of Union South, located on the UW-Madison campus at 1308 Dayton Street. 
The public is invited to attend and celebrate the work of the Rainbow Project with Latin music, dancing a...

MADISON  —The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Wisconsin-Madison, with the support of the UW-Madison Peace Corps Recruiting office, are hosting a Global House Party at the University Club, 803 State St., Monday, Sept. 24, 4-7 p.m.
The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) of Madison is trying to “Find the 250...

On Saturday, Sept. 8, Literacy Network hosted an open house celebration to honor 10 volunteers for their thousands of hours of dedicated service to adult learners. These volunteers have been dedicated to teaching reading, writing, and speaking sk...

Residents of the South Madison Promise Zone enjoyed an evening of family fun during the first South Madison Community Night on Aug. 24 at the Urban League of Greater Madison. The new, free event will be held the third Friday of every month.

 The Mexican and Centro America Festival, Madison’s oldest and largest Latino festival, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15, noon-9 p.m., at Warner Park.
“This is the 8th annual festival and we’re expecting it to be as big as ever,” says Alex Gillis, one of the main organizers of the event. “...

MADISON —The Ida B Wells Freedom Fund Banquet, which will be held at the Marriott Hotel West on Oct. 5, will feature the honorary keynote speaker Ed Gordon, who is the former host of BET Tonight and an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster.
The Madison Branch of the NAACP always has superb guest keynote speakers for their annual...

MADISON — The 11th annual Racial Justice Summit will take place at the Monona Terrace on Oct. 15 and 16.
Each year, the YWCA Madison hosts a racial justice summit that brings together community stakeholders to work on eliminating barriers that foster racism in our community. The Summit focuses on institutional racism and ...

MADISON — The Madison Metropolitan School District’s Board of Education is now seeking community input for its search for the next superintendent. The district will hold community input sessions on September 19 and 20 at 7 p.m.
“Selecting a new superintendent is one of our most important tasks as a Boa...

 
The Racial Justice Workshop series at the YWCA Madison is more about just being kind and pleasant around people who may be a little different from you, it’s about serious conversations and about actively promoting racial justice. Those ...

(Photos by Jeanne Erickson)

Thanks to a whole slew of community organizations and the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, the first day of school will be a brighter day for a bunch of Madison-area students and families.
For...

United Way's 20th Annual Days of Caring



People all across Dane County felt the impact of thousands of volunteers mobilizing as one as the United Way held its 20th annual Days of Caring last week. Centro Hispano ...

For many Madison-area students, next Tuesday is the first day of school. The following health and safety tips are from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Making the First Day Easier
Remind your child that there are probably a lot of students who are uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers k...

Interview with MMSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Jane Belmore


She might have been named interim superintendent for just the 2012-2013 school year, but Dr. Jane Belmore is eager to get at the business at hand with an energy...

MADISON — Asset Builders of America, Inc., with many sponsors and community partners, will present the 12th annual Madison Money Conference on Saturday, Aug. 25 at Madison College/MATC (Truax Campus).  Registration and breakfast begins at 8 a.m., with the program lasting from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The conference is a...

100% Family Friendly, 100% Free, 100% Community

MADISON — Immigrant Workers Union (IWU) is excited to announce the Fourth Annual Black Latino Unity Picnic on Sunday, Aug. 26.  The picnic will be held at Penn Park from 1-5 p.m. The event is part of an overall grassroots effort to promote unity ...

The future of the state of Wisconsin was on display at the UW-Madison PEOPLE Program’s 12th annual Recognition Banquet at the Madison Marriott West Aug. 3. The future looks very promising.
The annual recognition banquet was he...

Brian Benford is nothing if not a grassroots community activist. What’s most important to him is opening doors to people who have been marginalized in our community. As an African-American single father of four (and one more child on the way) wh...

Francois Musonera, father of two little girls, attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. He now teaches Spanish at Hartford Union High School and lives in Beaver Dam, Wis. Sounds like an average Wisconsinite, right? Well, no: He’s been in the U.S. for 15 years, but 15 years ago Musonera was walking across Rwanda, ...

About 100 people gathered in the heat of the day August 1 to learn about plans for a new, up-to-date shelter for those hurt by family violence in Dane County. The event took place at 2102 Fordem Avenue in Madison, the site of the new shelter and futur...

FAMILIES CAN SAVE TIME BY ENROLLING ONLINE STARTING TODAY!!!

MADISON  — As the 2012-13 school year quickly approaches, it’s almost time for enrollment in the Madison Metropolitan School District. This year, families can save time at their school enrollment day by enrolling online ahead o...

MADISON  — To recognize the gracious donations of our civic partners, Backpacks for Success Week will commence with the 4th Annual Backpacks for Success Appreciation Banquet on Tuesday,  Aug. 14, at the UW-Madison Kohl Center (Gate A). Tables for this event are available for purchase here. 
In preparation f...

 


The south side will be the place to be on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Specifically, Penn Park, as Madison joins other communities across the country to celebrate the 29th annual National Night Out. 
Club Today Not Tomorrow...

The Asian American Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is an interdisciplinary program that focuses on the scholarship and experiences of Americans, Pacific Islanders, and immigrants to the United States from Asian heritage groups. The prog...

It’s July 14 in a hot Madison La Follette High School gym and former Wisconsin Badger star and current Atlanta Hawk All-Star guard Devin Harris is having a lot of fun in a live full-court basketball game with youngsters of all ages.  The kids at hi...

 MADISON — The Urban League of Greater Madison (ULGM) is proud to share initial results from its College Readiness Academies. Between March and June of this year, 73 high school students were provided with 32 hours of free ACT instruction. Post-tests revealed that 72 percent of participating students added an average of 3.22...

 


Dane County CASA is a Madison-based 501(c)(3) organization that provides community advocates to abused and neglected kids in Dane County. It’s an agency that works to give the most vulnerable children in our community a voice...

Pastor Lilieth Richards was born and raised in a very religious environment in Kingston, Jamaica. She moved to the United States and continued her true calling to minister and serve God's people by starting Restoration Outreach Center Internat...

 
 
Community members came out in force to witness a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the new South Madison Center for Culture & Community (SMCCC) Friday, June 22 on Madison’s south side.
The Center is a joint ventu...

The Omega School Inc. Summer 2012 GED/HSED Commencement Ceremony was held Thursday, June 21, in the auditorium of Madison Memorial High School.
Omega School is an alternative, adult basic education and diploma completion program that...

School. Work. Private life. Do these mix? They mixed beautifully at St. Mary’s Hospital June 14 as eight very happy people graduated from St. Mary’s School at...

MADISON —With the south side of Madison being one of the most diverse communities in the state of Wisconsin, it’s time to bring its various cultures together and give everyone a central gathering place for culture, community, and education.
The new South Madison Center for Culture & Community (SMCCC) will be loca...

It's hard to believe, but the University of Wisconsin-Madison Pre-college Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence  (PEOPLE) program is already 13 years old.
This is a busy time for Jacqueline DeWalt, PEOPLE program exe...

J.P. Olson is putting together the first annual Women Empowerment Summitt

The first annual Today's Women Empowerment Summit will be a chance for women to take a break and unwind, to socialize, to network, and to enj...

Interview with Peng Her

Peng Her is the director of the Urban League's Promise Zone

A few months ago, the Urban League of Greater Madison named Peng Her to be the director of its Promise Zone Initiative and to lead it...

The Mann Educational Opportunity Fund is a scholarship that honors the late Bernard and Kathlyn Mann, parents of Becky Gobermann (left) and Lori Mann Carey.

In the midst of one thousand recent discussions in Madison about overcomi...

Aaron Perry is the first African American insulin-dependent diabetic in the world to ever finish an Ironman Triathlon.


“If you want to live until you're 80, you better be doing something about it at a...

The Social Justice Center (below), located at 1202 Williamson Street, Celebrated its 12th birthday recently by honoring Charles and Constance Smalley (above) with the...

David Hart (left) and Tony Fudge prepare for the Madison Grand Poetry Slam this weekend.

Madison’s top slam and performance poets will compete in the Madison Grand Poetry Slam Saturday, May 19 at Gennas Lounge for a chance t...

 
City Council President Shiva Bidar-Sielaff (left) speaks as Superintendent Dan Nerad and Deedra Atkinson of the United Way of Dane County look on.

After months of community and staff input, Superintendent Dan Nerad mad...

Annual event continues to get bigger, more diverse

The 7th annual Multicultural Senior Health Fair was held at the Warner Park Community Recreation Center on May 11. Local seniors could enjoy community agencies providing informational booths, free health screenings, and educational presentations.&...

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Maria Campbell, director of diversity for SC Johnson

 It is hardly a secret that demographics in ...

Juneteenth 2012  co-chairs Jessica Strong (left) and Ronnicia Johnson-Walker

A character actor depicts a historical Juneteenth scene

MADISON — Imagine not being able to understand your child's teacher. Or your doctor. Or the person interviewing you for a job.
Norma is a single mother of three school-aged children who works three part-time jobs. She hopes to improve her English so that she can better communicate with their teachers, improve her spelling ...

Women in Focus, Inc. Scholarship Awards Program

The 2012 Women in Focus, Inc. scholarship recipients


Women in Focus, Inc. continued to stress the importance of education as they distributed scholarships to 13 o...

JoCasta Zamarripa, the conference's keynote speaker and the first Latina elected to the Wisconsin state Legislature, is surrounded by co-organizers Beda Martinez (left) and Africa Lozano (right) at La Mujer Latina Conference April 21.

 ”When the Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Program first started on the University of Wisconsin-Madison 35 years ago, there was a proclamation that came from the mayor's office supporting the initiative. The mayor at that time was a young, d...

Students participating in the Madison chapter of Girls, Inc., along with advisor Amanda Larson, will use funds from a $1,000 Madison Civics Club community service grant to continue providing help, friendship and entertainment to clients of the Salvat...

(MADISON) —Habitat for Humanity of Dane County CEO Perry Ecton will be leaving the Dane County affiliate to take a position as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Broward County in Florida.
Ecton’s last day will be Tuesday, April 24. A search committee has been formed and is being led by Habitat’s Bo...

MADISON — Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced April 17 that he has selected current Chief of Capitol Police, Charles Tubbs, to serve as the new Director of Dane County Emergency Management.

Charles Tubbs

&n...

Students at Nuestro Mundo


Rhea Vedro (left) and Patricia Venegas work for MMSD's DLI program.


Thanks to an extension, parents have a l...

It will be a fun afternoon of celebrating accomplishments and anticipating future success as Women in Focus (WIF) Inc. will distribute scholarships to outstanding area students at Edgewood College April 22.
  Every spring, WIF awards scholarshi...

The Wisconsin Women of Color Network (WWOCN) celebrated Women's History Month with its “Well Women of Color: Nurturing our Body, Mind, and Spirit” March 31 in the Evjue Community Center of the Urban League of Greater Madison.<...

2012 Workplace Diversity & Leadership Summit and Awards Luncheon May 16, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monona Terrace

Maria Campbell
 
 MADISON – Given a choice, would talent choose you? This ...

Mary Burke, Community Focused



“We're at a critical junction right now. We're not trending positive,” says MMSD school board seat 2 candidate Mary Burke. “We have to turn the ship around. But I see ...

On April 3rd: Your vote could bring victory, ownership, trust, and empowerment to your community.

Yes, one vote does count and it will make a difference!
 
Cast your vote for the best candidate who represents yourvalues and...

Nichelle NIchols, Seat 1




1) Closing the achievement gap starts with honest acceptance that we are indeed a different Madison than we mi...

  MADISON — Individuals or organizations seeking funding for local arts and culture projects are invited to learn more about how to post projects on a new online giving platform through the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission’s Dane Arts program. 
The new program, Power2Give.org, will be the county&rsq...

Famed poet, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni was in town March 21 to advocate the necessity of finding one’s voice in a time of political turbulence in order to create a difference, as a part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Distinguished...

Dr. Ken Loving, CEO of Access Community Health Centers

Technically, Access Community Health Centers is a health care provider, but what makes their work so important is how they can strengthen the community. “Havin...

MADISON — On Saturday, March 31, members of the Madison Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will celebrate the 99th anniversary of the sorority’s founding and the 35th anniversary of Madison Alumnae Chapter. 
Patricia Haley-Glass, an Essence award-winning and national best-selling author, will be...

 Community members packed into the community room of the South Metropolitan Planning Council at the Villager Mall in the heart of Madison's south side March 19 for the official release of the Visit South Madison Project.
The event was hosted by Dan Guerra, CEO of Argus Ventures, LLC,  who helped develop the Visit South...